Chapter 80
“I dare say, in the past, the Qingyuan Sect was so powerful that even a single peak could easily crush the Chijing Gang with a snap of the fingers.”
“Uh…”
The leader of the gang was taken aback.
He had heard tales of the glory of the Qingyuan Sect, but he never imagined it was to such an extent.
Before he could respond, the Blood-Clad Young Master casually pointed:
“Look at the Nine Peaks of Qingyuan.”
“Weapon forging, alchemy, beast taming, scripture studies, rules, commerce, agriculture—everything is covered.”
“Tell me, which sect in the world is as well-rounded as this?”
The gang leader pondered.
Every sect had its own specialties.
Those known for alchemy excelled in that field, while those renowned for weapon forging made their names through it, each with their own unique skills.
It was indeed rare to find a sect like Qingyuan that dabbled in all areas.
Was the Blood-Clad Young Master hinting at the secret behind Qingyuan Sect’s enduring prosperity?
But it seemed not quite so.
“Your esteemed presence is an honor; I apologize for not welcoming you properly.”
A giant of a man, like an iron tower, stood before them, cupping his hands in greeting.
It was Futuo.
Beside him stood the Lord of Ziyang and Elder Yin Huaxuan from the Rare Beast Peak.
“Having a few of you come to greet us is a privilege for the Chijing Gang; there’s no question of neglect,” the gang leader returned the gesture.
He felt a bit flattered, but upon seeing the Lord of Ziyang, he understood.
The group made their way to the conference hall.
As they entered, they found representatives from various sects already gathered.
Shangguan Wencang sat at the head seat, still dressed like a humble farmer, puffing on his pipe as he surveyed the crowd through the swirling smoke, exuding an air of authority.
Once everyone was present, he slowly spoke:
“You all should be familiar with the Unending Trials of the Xiyu Tower.”
“Not long ago, one of our disciples went down the mountain on duty and captured a Hall Front Swallow.”
As he spoke, an iron swallow landed on the long table with a sharp clink.
Many in the hall frowned.
Every time the Unending Trials took place, chaos was inevitable. Although it was an event organized by the Xiyu Tower to train assassins, it always stirred up quite a ruckus.
There were always those looking to take advantage of the confusion.
“This is a matter I reported.”
“The city is a vital area; it cannot be thrown into disorder, so I ask for your assistance.”
The Lord of the Ziyang stood up and spoke loudly.
Everyone nodded, willing to lend a hand, and turned their gazes toward the head seat.
Shangguan Wencang tapped his pipe and slowly said:
“Our Qingyuan Sect will send a few true disciples and one elder to assist.”
“Isn’t that a bit too few?”
“Which disciples will Sect Master Shangguan send, and which elder?”
A middle-aged man in a Confucian robe, Wen Yulin, spoke up.
Shangguan Wencang shot him a glance:
“I’ll choose the top few from the Nine Peaks Martial Arts competition, and as for the elder…”
“Shang Wu just volunteered to take part.”
A collective gasp echoed through the hall.
The Lord of Ziyang’s expression froze.
Shang Wu was far more intimidating than the Unending Trials.
...
In the afternoon, the Nine Peaks Martial Arts competition continued as scheduled.
Li Mo had just run into Wang Hao in the cafeteria; the details were rather typical.
In short, it went something like this:
“Have you seen the Black Hand?”
“Don’t let me run into you on the stage, or I’ll have to take your Chixiao Sword!”
That was the gist of it.
Li Mo noticed that Wang Hao seemed quite eager for the Chixiao Sword, but he didn’t seem to be particularly skilled in swordsmanship.
And guess what happened next.
During the afternoon’s drawing lots, the first two competitors were matched up.
“Inner Door disciple Wang Hao versus the true disciple of Qunyu Peak, Li Mo!”
Qian Bufan announced loudly, holding two tokens.
Wang Hao was among the top eight, one of the closest disciples to the high standards of past Nine Peaks Martial Arts competitions, with a realm that could be considered among the highest.
Most disciples at the Observation Realm had long surpassed the age limit.
Let alone the Observation Realm, even those at the Xuan Dan Realm were rarely seen in martial arts competitions.
“Ha ha…”
Wang Hao landed heavily on the stage, his aura of the Yuye Realm fully revealed, brimming with confidence.
He glared coldly at Li Mo, his fists cracking ominously.
On the opposite side, Li Mo stepped onto the stage.
The atmosphere in the arena grew tense.
Seeing Wang Hao’s demeanor, it was as if he wanted to swallow Li Mo whole.
There was no way to rely on connections this time, right?
Li Zhenchuan, who had consecutively forfeited three times, had to make a move this round.
Moreover, to outsiders, it seemed clear.
Wang Hao was in the Yuye Realm.
Li Mo was merely at the Qi and Blood Realm.
The gap in their realms was quite significant.
On the high platform, the elders lowered their gazes, pondering.
They didn’t doubt Li Mo’s combat strength, but Wang Hao was a whole realm above him.
It felt a bit like a case of the big bullying the small.
“This is going to be tough.”
“If Ying Bing activates her astonishing bloodline, she could match the Yuye Realm with her full Qi and Blood.”
As the elders discussed, Shang Wu’s gaze fell on Li Mo. She hadn’t paid attention to her disciple’s progress for quite some time.
Yet, she felt an inexplicable confidence, as if she couldn’t quite articulate it, but sensed that…
Her precious disciple had a significant advantage.
“Li Shidi is amazing! Go, Li Shidi!”
Xiao Qin shouted loudly.
Beside him, Lin Jiang and Murong Xiao felt a bit embarrassed; Xiao Qin’s shout had made them the center of attention.
Xiao Qin turned back and asked:
“Why aren’t you shouting?”
“Li Xiong will definitely win; we don’t need to cheer for him, right?”
Lin Jiang whispered.
“That’s too conspicuous.”
Murong Xiao wished he could find a hole to hide in.
“But if we don’t cheer, how will everyone know we’re not throwing the match?”
Xiao Qin’s words struck a chord.
The two leaned back slightly, a flash of realization crossing their minds.
So, they shouted together:
“Li Xiong is mighty!”
“Li Xiong will definitely win!”
The three of them shouted in unison, and it didn’t feel so embarrassing anymore.
---
On the stage.
When enemies meet, their eyes turn red; the tension was palpable.
But hearing those familiar voices cheering for him, Li Mo felt a bit of a chill run down his spine, momentarily forgetting Wang Hao’s predatory gaze.
“Let me see what you’re made of, Li Shidi.”
Wang Hao’s inner energy surged, his aura locking onto Li Mo.
As soon as Qian Bufan shouted “Begin,” he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, charging at Li Mo.
His fists emitted a faint dark glow, clearly wearing specially made gauntlets.
With a punch thrown, the wind howled like a roaring tiger, the sound of his inner energy crashing like thunder.
Many in Qingyuan Sect recognized this move.
It was the signature technique of the inner door steward, Futuo—an advanced martial art known as the Tiger-Leopard Thunder Fist.
“Come at me.”
Excitement surged within Li Mo.
This was his first real match; the last time he fought Cui Peng, he had been on the verge of death and hadn’t exchanged many blows before finishing him off.
He didn’t draw his sword.
With a surge of energy, his thirty-six meridians filled with blood, he twisted his waist and threw a punch straight at Wang Hao.
Wang Hao was momentarily stunned, then a wicked smile crept across his face.
It seemed his opponent was too proud to use the Chixiao Sword, wanting to rely on his bare hands instead?
He had initially worried that his gauntlets wouldn’t withstand the sharpness of a mystical weapon.
Li Mo’s choice played right into his hands.
Facing an opponent of a higher realm, he didn’t unleash his full strength immediately, and instead, let pride get the better of him.
Today, he would show his opponent what true cruelty meant…
But could he really do it?
“Wait? A Qi and Blood Realm fighting a Yuye Realm without weapons?”
“Not only without weapons, but it seems he hasn’t even used any martial arts.”
“Li Zhenchuan has a foundation in body refinement; I often see him at the Divine Edge Cave. Perhaps he has other tricks up his sleeve?”
“Reaching the peak of body refinement in the Qi and Blood Realm isn’t that exaggerated, right? Otherwise, everyone would just practice body refinement, and no one would learn other martial arts.”
“Isn’t he supposed to be skilled in swordsmanship?”
...
A Qi and Blood Realm disciple engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a Yuye Realm disciple who was using weapons—who wouldn’t be confused?
However, in the blink of an eye, their fists collided.
Clang—
Flesh against gauntlet produced a sound like a bell ringing.
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